The egg debacle in Dhaka

Thousands of people thronged the Egg Fair venue in Dhaka’s Khamarbari area to buy eggs but had to return empty handed after chaos and anarchy ensued there. Ultimately the fair was called off this morning.

The Egg Fair was organised to celebrate the World Egg Day 2017 at the Krishibid Institute in Khamarbari today.

Although the fair was scheduled to be held from 10:00am to 1:00pm, only within 20 minutes from the beginning all the egg supplies were exhausted.

Being angered at the unavailability of eggs, majority of the fair goers then started vandalising makeshift shops at the fair venue.

The agitating people also shouted slogans against the organisers. Later police had to take step to control the excited mob.

Excited fair goers protest not getting eggs. Photo: Ekush Tapader

The fair was organised by Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council in collaboration with the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).

One official of the department told The Daily Star that the organisers had no idea that the fair would get such a huge reception.

In line with this experience, they will organise the fair at a larger scale next time, he added.

Being angered at the unavailability of eggs, majority of the fair goers then start vandalising makeshift shops at the fair venue. Photo: Palash Khan

The fair declared to sell an egg at Tk 3 only and one person was allowed to buy 90 eggs. In the hope getting eggs at such a low price thousands gathered at the fair resulting in the debacle.